Ribena Cupcakes

I'm afraid that my little blog is becoming somewhat dedicated to lovely cakes! I can't help it, you see, for there really is little better than sitting down for a cup of tea and cake on a cold day. While my Prince was busy occupying himself with a new Xbox game I decided to make the most of having a free kitchen and whip up some Ribena cupcakes that I've been meaning to try for a while now. I'm a little bit addicted to the blackcurrant goodness that is Ribena, it reminds me of sunny days and being a child again, getting giggly from too much sugar! We currently have five unopened bottles sitting in our kitchen cupboard (oops!) so I thought they deserved a little love and attention. I used this recipe but didn't stick to it completely as I didn't have any blackberry jam, but the sponge still has a slight taste of Ribena and the buttercream tastes so lovely and sweet! Hundreds and thousands were used as decorations, as what's a cake without some childish decorating? ♥

Wishes: Essie ♥

Essie at Superdrug

I know I'm a bit late jumping on the Essie bandwagon as they've been popular with beauty bloggers for a while now, but my local Superdrug has only just begun to stock them. I've been looking up the colours online and planning my purchases, there are so many many lovely colours that I'd like to buy when I get a little money in my purse! I love the purple colour, Sexy Divide, for Autumn and Halloween, it's such a lovely mysterious colour that reminds me of dark nights and colder weather festivities. Tea & Crumpets is a lovely light pink colour that I'd wear everyday, and how cute is the name! It makes me think of Lucy, having tea with Mr Tumnus. Finally, Cute as a Button is a very sweet peachy pink colour, it reminds me of Summer and it would be lovely to wear a little bit of sunshine on your nails to brighten up a grey day ♥

Tea with Mr Tumnus

“Meanwhile,’ said Mr Tumnus, ‘it is winter in Narnia, and has been for ever so long, and we shall both catch cold if we stand here talking in the snow. Daughter of Eve from the far land of Spare Oom where eternal summer reigns around the bright city of War Drobe, how would it be if you came and had tea with me?” ♥

Iced tea & Fairy tales (A few questions)

What are your current obsession? Baking, iced tea, blogging, painting my nails, tumblr and pinterest.

What are you wearing now? A cosy pastel pink knitted jumper, floral print pyjama bottoms, slippers, pink nail polish and messy messy hair.

Do you nap a lot? Not really, only if I'm very tired!

Who was the last person you hugged? My Prince ♥

If you were a tree, what tree would you be? I'd like to be a big oak tree that people choose to picnic underneath, a sheltered spot from the rain, perhaps on top of a hill.

What's for dinner? Pizza and salad (Friday is lazy cooking night!).

What was the last thing you bought? Hundreds & Thousands for baking and some cherry cola.

What are you listening to right now? Alex Goot, he has such a lovely voice!

What is your favorite weather and why? I like thunderstorms, especially when you return home just as the sky is darkening and deep purple clouds are rolling overhead, and just as you get in the rain starts to fall down heavily, hammering against the window and thunder rolls high above your head in the sky.

What time do you usually wake up? It very much depends upon my Uni timetable, but I usually sleep for about 7-8 hours a night. I'm in a bit of a "go to sleep late, wake up late" pattern!

What is your most challenging goal right now? Finding a job, doing well at Uni.

If you could have a house totally paid for, fully furnished anywhere in the world, where would you want it to be? I'd love to live in a little stone cottage somewhere in the English countryside, with roses around the door and warming fireplaces in every room. Oh, and a little garden too, full of flowers to sit and look at in the sunshine over a cup of tea.

Your 3 dream vacation spots: Paris, Rome and Disneyland, please.

What movies can you watch over and over? The Hunger Games, Titanic, Stardust, Marie Antoinette, anything Disney (The Lion King, Tangled, Beauty & The Beast, Cinderella, Monsters Inc...)

What is your favourite tea? English breakfast tea with milk and two sugars, please.

What are you reading right now? Snow White & The Huntsman, as well as Grimm's fairy tales.

What is your current guilty pleasure? Duvet days and putting my pyjamas on as soon as I get home!

Where is the landscape of your mind? A forest somewhere next to a little stream.

You have one wish: To live a happy life.

I found this little tag while browsing Tumblr so decided to give it a go, too. Feel free to carry it on, please link me if you do as I'd love to read your answers :) ♥

A surprise cake (some lovely post)

I received the loveliest parcel this week and I just had to share it with you! My Mama is the most wonderful baker and I really miss her homemade treats when I am away at University - no matter how hard I try the cakes I bake in my little kitchen just don't compare. So I was very surprised when the Postman knocked on my door Monday morning and delivered this lovely cake for me, a cherry bakewell sponge to satisfy my homemade cake cravings! We couldn't resist having a slice each there and then (even though it was only breakfast time...), and there is very little left now for it just tasted so yummy! 

It is always lovely to receive a surprise in the post, especially when it can be enjoyed with a cup of tea on a cold afternoon. Thank you, Mama :) 

"Enough. Enough now."

So last night I made myself a cup of tea, brought out the fluffy blanket from the back of the wardrobe that is reserved for cold days and snuggly nights only and settled down on the sofa with my Prince to watch Love Actually. Yep, I'm aware it's September and a little early to be getting excited about Christmas, but it really put me in festive mood! I can't put into words how much I love this film, it's so beautifully heartwarming and I could watch the above scene over and over again. 

Oh, and this one, because who doesn't love Hugh Grant doing a bit of ridiculous dancing?! 

♥

Recipe: A cosy day in Autumn

This is exactly how I spent my day today, and it was ever so lovely! When the rain is falling outside and the wind is hammering against the window, there's nothing better than ignoring the world and having a cosy day ♥  

Banana Pancakes

This weekend I...

♥ Baked scones for the neighbours and in return was gifted with a lovely jar of homemade strawberry jam. 

♥ Drank cups of tea from a Paddington Bear mug. 

♥ Bought a pair of raspberry coloured jeans and a cosy knitted jumper for the Autumn weather. 

♥ Got excited when the postman delivered new books! Sadly most were course textbooks for University, but I did get this one too. 

♥ Read the latest issues of Company and Cosmopolitan magazine.

♥ Got treated to a lovely bunch of flowers from my Prince! (I'm a lucky girl) 

♥ Ate croissants for breakfast, cookies for lunch and chinese for tea - I had a very happy tummy! 

♥ Discovered a lovely new cider, and drank so much that I felt dizzy and my head hurt the next day...

♥ Had a bath with pink water and too many bubbles. 

♥ Giggled at episodes of How I Met Your Mother and Gavin & Stacey. 

♥ Borrowed my Prince's cosy and warm jumper to curl up in. 

♥ Started to read "The Woman In Black" after loving the film. 

♥ Applied for three jobs and a volunteering placement, fingers crossed!

♥ Discovered Alex Goot on Spotify and listened to his songs over and over. 

♥ Painted my nails the cherry red colour of London buses. 

♥ Felt overwhelmed by all of the lovely comments I've received on my little blog recently! Thank you so much to all of you that read my ramblings, you put a big smile on my face :) 

Dear Narnia,

This is so lovely, oh how I wish I was Lucy! Can you imagine what it would be like to be part of the story, your name written over and over on the pages of one of the most magical books written? I'd love to go to Narnia one day, I'll never stop wishing ♥  

Marmalade sandwiches

Fictional bears from children's books are the very best bears, in my opinion. Nowhere else would you find a silly old bear with a love for honey and the name Winnie the Pooh or a bear from Darkest Peru that likes wearing duffle coats and rain hats other than in the magical pages of children's literature. Those two bears were two of my most treasured friends when I was growing up. We would go on adventures together, just the three of us, sometimes in The Hundred Acre Wood and sometimes in the big city of London, but most of the time it would be somewhere completely different, somewhere we dreamed up together. Sometimes when I'm feeling a little down I like to return to them, two old friends that got left behind but will always have a special place both in my heart and on my bookshelf. That is what I did today, retreated into childhood comforts and went on an adventure. I better be getting back though so I'll make this short and sweet, there's a cup of tea and a marmalade sandwich with my name on it somewhere :) ♥  

Letters to you, from me.

Dear Autumn,
I've missed you, and I'm glad you're back. Even though sometimes you can make my life a little miserable, like when you decide it's time for a downpour just as we're about to set off for a bike ride or when you're having a particularly cold day that no amount of layers can protect me from, but most of the time I enjoy your company. I like how you let me pretend to be a dragon and see the warm clouds of air in front of my face, how I can finally wear my new coat and have an excuse to go shopping for warmer clothes, and I particularly like how I can take a bath in the middle of the afternoon to warm myself up from your coolness. If you keep this up I have a feeling we'll get on just fine.

Dear Primark jeans,
Right, we have a problem. I feel in love with you the moment I pulled you on, and there's no denying that you're one of the comfiest pairs I own. But did nobody ever tell you it's rude to dye everything else in the washing machine while you're in there?! That's just downright bad manners.

Dear Italy,
Thank you for inventing pasta. Seeing as I've already eaten two bowls of the stuff today I thought it was only polite to write you a formal thank you. Oh, and while we're at it, thank you for inventing pizza too, and gelato... and the men, of course.

Once Upon a Dream

“Dream tonight of peacock tails, diamond fields and spouter whales. Ills are many, blessings few, but dreams tonight will shelter you.” - Herman Melville

♥

For I am a Bear of Very Little Brain, and long words bother me

♥ Yesterday was about:

Late starts, cups of tea to wake up a sleepy head, train journeys, an adventure in Glasgow, too much pizza, spending my pennies, a new bag and a new purse to match, wearing duffle coats to keep ourselves warm in the September chill, taking advantage of student discounts, a present for my Prince, a cosy new jumper the colour of pink candy floss and another the colour of pink bubble gum, pretty butterflies to wear in my ears, getting lost in the bookstore, pink lemonade and a giant custard cream (too big for me to eat), stocking up on magazines for the train home, nintendo games like when we were little, sleepy eyes, warming tomato soup and too many sneezes. 

♥ Today was about:

Missing the alarm and sleeping through a lecture, cuddles in bed, breakfast while watching Ugly Betty episodes, a red and white striped t-shirt, competitive xboxing, supermarket shopping trips and full cupboards, cleaning and tidying (a housekeeping day), supernoodles for a student, more sneezes, studying and writing notes, an Amazon order, getting organised, pyjamas in the afternoon, sunshine through the window but grey skies overhead, being cosy, wikipedia browsing, endless cups of tea. 

Slow down, you crazy child.

At the start of every academic year for as long as I can remember I've set myself a few goals that I hope to achieve by the time Summer comes around again. I think it was something we were encouraged to do way back in Primary school, when my goals probably included something like "win the skipping race at Sports Day" or "be something other than a sheep in the Christmas play" (that never happened, I was apparently destined to be a farm animal), but nowadays they usually involve a lot of hard work and effort. I'll admit, like most University Freshers I didn't try too hard in my first year, when my main concerns revolved around nights out and what type of alcohol I could afford on this week's measly budget, but since the start of term as a 'Grown Up' second year my academic life has suddenly gotten a lot harder.

It feels like every minute I'm not on Campus I'm struggling to understand theories, writing up scribbled lecture notes and attempting to read a pile of books that makes my head hurt just to look at it! I'm not the best at coping with stress at the best of times, but I think it's safe to say that I'm crazy annoying to be around when the pressure is on.

So in an effort to not spend the next three years of my life in a stressed out-mess, and also to avoid severely winding up my lovely Boy who I'm pretty sure is soon to hit breaking point, I'm going to take a leaf out of Mr Billy Joel's book and "Slow Down". Sit down, relax and have a listen, because this man is  pretty wise (and has an amazing voice, too). 

Enjoy ♥

Raindrops on Roses

Last night, sometime in between falling asleep and the sunrise (for the room was still dark when I opened my eyes), I was woken to the sound of raindrops thrashing heavily against my window. It was the nicest possible way to be woken up because the sound of the rain comforts me, and sometimes it makes me feel like I'm the one it fell for, intended to fall upon my ears no matter what time of day or night.

There’s something about the rain that I can’t explain. And I just don’t know why.

I like seeing rain falling from the sky, I find it as something magical. I get fascinated whenever I see those drops of rain which means of a new start. I enjoy seeing raindrops on the windows of a car, each slowly making its way down, leaving little paths in their wake for others to follow. I like seeing people playing in the rain, enjoying what nature has bestowed upon us. I like the way that makes me feel, and I like knowing that after each and every rainfall there will be a new beginning :) ♥

Would you make me a cup of tea, to open my eyes in the right way?

Was surprised to see that my local Superdrug stocked the new 'Pink Bubbly' Vaseline, it smells lovely! // Started a new book last night // We couldn't resist snapping up 'Drinking Game Noughts & Crosses', and tested it out of the first time to disastrous results (read: I'm a lightweight that shouldn't be let near spirits) // Strawberry shortcake yoghurts are the best kind of yoghurts // Got sucked in by a Superdrug offer and returned from town with a couple of new additions to my make up bag // You can't have a hot chocolate without cream and marshmallows! // Stopped by Cafe Nero for a peppermint milkshake, pretty pastel green // Burning a new candle, the flat currently smells of Vanilla & Magnolia (Thank you, Glade!) // My Mama sent me this little fella in the post, isn't he cute! 

This is what my weekend has consisted of, in addition to multiple games on Wii Sports, a FaceTime date with the parents and a yummy Sunday lunch courtesy of my Prince (He's a keeper). I have my first Politics tutorial of the year tomorrow morning and it's safe to say I'm completely dreading it! 

Awful Monday feeling, I really don't like you. 

Tag: If I were...

If I were a gemstone, I'd be Amethyst
If I were a scent, I'd be the sweet scent of something lovely baking in the oven
If I were a pair of shoes, I'd be a pair of pale pink ballet slippers
If I were the weather, I'd be a warm evening at sunset
If I were a facial expression, I'd be a shy smile

If I were a car, I'd be a VW camper van
If I were a time of day, I'd be early evening
If I were a month, I'd be May
If I were a place, I'd be peaceful spot in the countryside
If I were a liquid, I'd be a glass of pink milk
If I were a taste, I'd be something sweet

If I were a sea animal, I'd be a starfish
If I were a food, I'd be an ice cream sundae
If I were a colour, I'd be pastel shades, pale blue and lilac and sugary pink
If I were a musical instrument, I'd be an acoustic guitar
If I were a flower, I'd be a rose
If I were a song, I'd be 'Beauty and the Beast'

If I were a planet, I'd be the moon
If I were an object, I'd be a well loved book
If I were a fruit, I'd be a raspberry
If I were a sound, I'd be rain falling against the window
If I were a day of the week, I'd be a Sunday morning

I found this tag on the lovely Charlotte's blog, and thought it was just too sweet to pass up! Feel free to analyse my answers as you will, and be sure to link me if you do this tag too :) ♥

Afternoon Tea

I had nothing planned at Uni today so, after a long lie in, multiple cups of tea and a few episodes of How I Met Your Mother, I decided to be slightly productive and do a little bit of baking in my new kitchen. After browsing multiple food websites for a suitable recipe, I finally decided upon this one from my ever-faithful friend, BBC Food. I bundled up in my scarf and coat and headed out to Tesco with my little shopping list, and after an hour or so of mixing/weighing/licking the bowls clean this was the finished result! I perhaps added a little too much cream, but if you're going to have some cake you might as well go all out, right?! We're already two slices down and it's only been out of the oven a couple of hours... I'm sorry, waistline, but this cake is too good to pass up!

Down the Rabbit Hole

Now that I'm finally all moved in and everything has found it's place, I thought I'd share a few photos of my new bedroom. It was nice to be able to start from scratch and fill it with things that I love, a cosy little hideaway that feels like a home from home. Lovely new floral bedsheets to drift off to sleep in, and a pretty rose on my window sill, a few favourite books for night-time reading and a little bunny to guide the way in the dark. The pictures hanging upon my wall are my favourite, vintage inspired prints full of nostalgic charm and my first ever piece of proper artwork, the BFG himself! I was given the print as a Christmas present from my parents and I will treasure it forever, my very own piece or Roald Dahl magic. Paddington and Dumbo had to come along on this adventure too, of course, as well as a few other assorted old friends from home! I think it's safe so say that we all like it here, and I'm sure there will be a few new additions to my room good time.

I hope you enjoyed these photos, and if you would like I could give you a quick peek around the rest of my little flat, too? Let me know what you think, and if you have any photos of your room be sure to send me the link, I'm always looking for inspiration to improve mine!

A dream is a wish your heart makes

The last few days have been a bit of a rollercoaster in regards to emotion for me, and is the primary reason of why I haven't written lately. My parents went back home on Saturday after spending a lovely few days with me up in Scotland and helping me to settle into the new flat, which is always upsetting as I really am a home girl at heart! After rather a lot of tears and a few waves of hard-hitting homesickness I finally feel a lot happier and optimistic about this semester at University, and it definitely helps that my Prince and I are sharing a flat together so he's always there for cuddles and silliness when it is required ♥

This morning we popped into town and were pleased to find that a new little cake shop has just recently opened. The cupcakes they had on display looked amazing, although I have a feeling that might not be too good for my waistline! I also treated myself to a few little pieces that I'll be sure to show you in a post, and while we were wandering around the shopping centre I noticed that Lush were advertising for Christmas temps! The interviews are being held on Thursday evening so I think I might go along and see how it goes - wish me luck?!

I finally sorted out my Uni timetable today, and I have both Tuesdays and Fridays off this semester with only one lecture on Wednesday, not bad at all! Being a stationary geek I had fun noting it down in my new Paperchase organiser and going a bit sticky note crazy - who said stationary wasn't cute! We spent the rest of my afternoon curled up on the sofa eating copious amounts of popcorn and watching Cinderella, a Disney favourite that my Prince very kindly treated me to during a trip to Tesco yesterday. I love the songs and the mice and Cinderella's magical dress for the ball... To be a Disney Princess would be ever so wonderful! One day, maybe, I will keep wishing.

We accept the love we think we deserve

I have a confession. I might have just sat and watched this trailer ten times in a row, and I might have also squealed a bit in delight at such a high pitch that it made my dog jump! The Perks of being a Wallflower is my favourite book in the world, I can't count the amount of times I've read it (my copy is a bit battered now!) and wished I could jump into the story. The film looks beautiful, as does Emma Watson, as per usual, and I will most definitely be dragging my Prince to the pictures to see this when it's released! ♥

"Pink Milk is my favourite and my best"

I'm ever so sorry I haven't had much time to write to you much as of late, for I have been ever so busy! You see, I'm no longer in my bedroom at home, I'm sat all curled up in my new floral bedsheets in my new bedroom in my new flat at University. We drove here today after hours in the car, and spend a long time unpacking/cleaning/emergency buying everything that I've forgotten, but luckily it's nearly all done now. My little dog, Boots, has even come to stay with me for a few days! I can see him watching me as I write, snuggled up on his own little makeshift bed with his favourite fluffy pink teddy bear ♥ The last few days have been filled with packing, appointments, driving lessons and general business, but I did manage to see my Prince for a while yesterday! We had a lovely afternoon filled with yummy pink milk, the IT Crowd and cuddles, just how afternoons should be spent in my opinion. It's out two and a half year anniversary today, and although I'm sad we can't be together I'm looking forward to Sunday so we can celebrate it together, even if it is a little late! (I love you, Big One! ♥)

I think it's time that I go to sleep now, off to the Land of Nod, as I have a feeling tomorrow will be a busy one too! Goodnight, lovelies, I hope you're having a wonderful week ♥

Where Wonderland Begins

There is a place where the sidewalk ends
And before the street begins,
And there the grass grows soft and white,
And there the sun burns crimson bright,
And there the moon-bird rests from his flight
To cool in the peppermint wind.
Let us leave this place where the smoke blows black
And the dark street winds and bends.
Past the pits where the asphalt flowers grow
We shall walk with a walk that is measured and slow,
And watch where the chalk-white arrows go
To the place where the sidewalk ends.
Yes we’ll walk with a walk that is measured and slow,
And we’ll go were the chalk-white arrows go,
For the children, they mark, and the children, they know
The place where the sidewalk ends.

- Shel Silverstein

(a favourite ♥)

White Rabbits!

It is the first day of a new month, the first of September! Today is the day that all of the Hogwarts students pack up their trunks full of magic books and quills and school robes and board the Hogwarts Express, ready for a new term. I closed my eyes and crossed my toes and wished that it would stop to pick me up along the way - I will never stop dreaming about stepping into Harry's world...
I love this time of year as it is when I start to feel extremely excited about the coming Autumn season. In Autumn you can curl up with your favourite, well worn book under a cosy blanket with a good hot cup of tea and not move for hours if you choose. Or you spend a whole day watching your most loved films, snuggled up in a duvet with a hot chocolate (and marshmallows and cream!) to keep the cold at bay. Let's not forget the long Autumn walks, the satisfying crunch of leaves beneath your new boots bought especially for that very occassion! It's finally acceptable to wrap up in knitted cardigans again, warm scarves and thick cosy tights, old favourites forgotten for Summer. Rosy cheeks and rosy noses, oh so cute!
I'm all tucked up warm in bed at this very moment, the Autumnal episode of Charlie and Lola playing in the background and making me crave a nice big hot chocolate before I go to sleep!
Hello Autumn, it's nice to see you again ♥